Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced on April 28 that Deputy Attorney General Joe Potchen will retire from the Department of Attorney General on April 30, after more than 32 years of service to the State of Michigan.
Potchen’s retirement marks a significant transition for the department. Nessel said, “For three decades, Joe has been a tremendous advocate for the people of Michigan. His leadership has helped shaped this Department and touched countless lives across our state. We will miss his wisdom and are incredibly grateful for the legacy of public service. I wish him well in his much-deserved retirement.”
Potchen began his career with the department in 1994 after practicing law in Chicago and served in several roles over three decades, including as staff attorney and section head focusing on employment law cases, First Assistant in Health, Education and Family Services Division, Division Chief in Corporate Oversight Division, Practice Group Manager overseeing multiple divisions, Bureau Chief of Consumer & Regulatory Enforcement Bureau managing eight divisions and more than 200 employees, and most recently as Deputy Attorney General.
Reflecting on his career at the department, Potchen said: “Over the course of my career, it has been a source of pride to work alongside so many talented and committed public servants. I am pleased and honored to say I worked in the Department of Attorney General, and I am confident that the dedicated people who remain will carry its laudable mission forward.” He added: “I am thankful that Attorney General Nessel allowed me to play a significant part in that mission.”
With Potchen’s departure, Nessel also announced that Peter Manning will be promoted to Chief Deputy Attorney General. Manning joined the department in 1994 as well and spent most of his career working within its Environment division before moving into broader management roles overseeing multiple divisions.
Nessel said about Manning: “Peter has defined what it means to be a true leader and civil servant. I know in this new role, he will continue to serve our state with the same dedication he has shown throughout his entire career.”